Fire-escape



N9 Model.)

' :R. M. CHASE.

FIRE ESCAPE.

, UNITED STATES PATENT O F CE. I

:ROLLA M. CHASE, OF BETHEL, 'VERMONT- FIRE-ESCAPE.

SPECIFICATION. forming m f Letters Patent No. 277,992, dated May 22, 1883.

Application filed February 17, 1883. (No modehl To all whom-it may concern Be it knownthat 1, ROLLA M.OH'AsE,a citizen of the United States, residing at Bethel, in the county of Windsor and State of Ver wont, have invented a new anduseful Fire- Escape, of which the following is a specification, referencebeing had to the accompanying drawings. v

This invention relates to devices by which an escape can be efl'ected from a building in case of fire or other emergency, and has for its objectto provide a simple, inexpensive, and eflicient device that can be conveniently transported and readily placed in position for operation.

In the drawings, Figure l is a perspective view of my improved escape apparatus in positionfor use. Fig. 2 is avertical detail sectional view of the same. Fig. 3 is a top detail view of the sliding cylinder. Fig. 4 is a cross-section on the line a: as, Fig. 2.

Referring to the drawings, A designates a flexible cable or rope, that is arranged to be secured to a hook, B, or other device inside a window, and to be dropped out of the window, so as to hang from the same and extend nearly to the ground, as shown in Fig.1 of thedrawmgs. v

At the bottom of the cable A is secured a coiled spring, 0, that encircles the same for some distance from its lower end, and is provided on top with aplate,D,against which the sliding escape device may strike to break the force of the descent in case the latter is made too rapidly.

E designates the tubular device that is arranged to slide on the said rope or cable. This device is preferably constructed, in the main, of metal, and comprises a tube or cylinder, F, having a central longitudinal bore or perforation, G, through which the cable A passes, and provided with lateral flanges H I, respectively extending around its top and bottom. These flanges serve to obviate liability of the per-' sons bands, which grasp the tubular portion of the device. runnin g off onto the cable during the descent. At its top end the cylinder.

F is provided with a slot or opening, J, from which project lugs or flanges K K, between which is fulerumed on a cross-pin, L, a friction-lever, M, having its end N working [\through the slot J into the longitudinal perioration G, and formed with 'a concavely-grooved edge, 0, that clamps the. cable A. To the other end of the levei' M is secured a strap, P, that passes through a slotpQ, in the flange I, and is provided at its free end with a hook, R, or other device, by which it can be attached to a loop or staple, S, on the under face of the said flange].

T is an adjustable collar thatis provided with a set-screw, U, and is arranged on the strap P between its secured end and where it passes through the slot Q. v

The operation and advantages of my invention are obvious. When it becomes desirable to use the apparatus it is only necessary to secure the end of the cable to the hook inside the window and throw' the end of the rope or cable having the spring out of the same. Then pass the strap P around thebody under the arms, and secure its end to the staple, after which the tubular portion of the de vice and the friction-lever are grasped with the hands, andthe person throws his weight on the strap P and leaves the window. As soon as the weight of the person comes on the device E the strap 1? is drawn through the slot Q until its passageis arrested by the collar T, which has been previously adjusted as desired. This movement of the strap will" N against the cable, and the friction caused by the end N so clamping the cable will enable the device E to descend slowly to the ground. If the descent is being too rapid, or itis desired to stop, it is only necessary to further depress the ;lever M with the bands, which will more firmly clamp the end N against the cable and increase the friction 'sufliciently to retard or stop the descent at any desired point. The speed of the descent can thus be regulated as desired.

I claim as my invention- ,1. The combination of a tubular or cylindrical stem, a friction-lever fulcrumed thereon, a strap secured to the end of the lever and passing through a slot in the stem, and a collar or stop adjustable on said strap between its secured end and where it passes through the slot, as set forth.

2. .The' combination, with a tubular stem having the lateral flanges at its top and bot- In testimony that I claim the foregoing as tom, in the bottom one of which is formed a my own I have hereto aifixed my signature in slot, and with afriotion-lever fulcrumed on the presence of two witnesses.

stem, of a supportingstrap secured to the end ROLQA M. CHASE. of the lever, passing down through the said Witnesses: slot, and brought up and secured to the under MARIA J. BLISS, side of the bottom flange, as set forth. WILLIAM H. Buss. 

